Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories

By Chabad.org: Chana Weisberg

Religion & Spirituality Judaism

What's Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories about?

Join Chana Weisberg as she interviews interesting guests with inspiring and enlightening stories.

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Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories episodes:

05.29.2024
I Found Judaism at Columbia
Against the backdrop of violent threats, gaslighting, exclusion, and betrayal, Cecile (now Sara) connected to her Judaism for the first time while studying at Columbia University.
05.23.2024
Losing the Baby I Prayed For
A car accident prevented Rochel from becoming pregnant. When she finally became a mother, one of her twins died in infancy. Hear how she grew stronger and closer to G-d through the experience.
05.14.2024
My Parents Believed in Me—The Remarkable Success of an Autistic Child
When Stephen Shore was young, doctors advised that he be placed in an institution. Today, he's a professor, author, lecturer and activist.
05.07.2024
The Courage to Live With Joy After Losing Four Children
Learn how Vivi and her husband mustered the strength and positivity to raise their family, including four children who died due to a genetic disorder.
05.02.2024
College Football's Rising Star Doesn't Play on Shabbat
Learn how Sam Salz uses every opportunity to share Jewish pride and observance and make every moment meaningful and special.
04.08.2024
The Upside of a Child With Down Syndrome
Zalmy was a special boy, who brought so much joy to his parents and community, even after his sudden passing at the age of 15.
04.03.2024
The Rebbetzin of Finland: Why We're So Happy Here
What can you learn from how Finnish Jews and their neighbors live a happy and stress-free lifestyle?
03.28.2024
Terror Took Four Members of My Family
Orit Ettinger lost her father in a terrorist attack, her brother while working for the Mossad, her cousin saving Jews on October 7, and her brother in Gaza. Yet, she exudes faith, light, positivity, and hope.
03.19.2024
Finding G-d in a Brazilian Prison
The amazing story of a young Israeli who survived prison violence, abuse, and addiction to become a bastion of faith and acceptance in her community.
03.13.2024
From Music Theory to Jewish Practice
A music professor shares her story, including how the Rebbe personally reviewed her thesis and took an interest in her return to Judaism.
03.10.2024
A Mother's Wisdom After Losing Her Child
Perla Zaltzman lost her daughter Mussia in a drowning accident. She opens up about how she coped with the trauma; how the loss impacted her family, her community, and herself; and how she honors her daughter’s memory.
02.27.2024
The Stock Exchange Doesn't Compare to Mothering
A conversation with a mother of five who manages to juggle the worlds of parenting, high-powered finance, and deep Chassidic spirituality.
02.20.2024
Chana Speaks About Her Father
In this special episode, Chana Weisberg shares what it was like to grow up as the daughter of the legendary Torah scholar and leader, Rabbi Dovid Schochet of Toronto.
02.16.2024
My Son’s Last Letter From Gaza
An interview with the father of Ben Zussman, who wrote: "I am happy and thankful for the privilege that I had of protecting our beautiful country and the people of Israel."
02.08.2024
Cancer Attacked My Body, and I Discovered My Soul
Amanda Spiro lived a carefree, successful life and even worked as a model at one point. She was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 21. Her frightening new reality helped her discover her Jewish soul and the hand of...
01.29.2024
A Costa Rican Story of Return
Tamarinado, Costa Rica, is known for its surfing and nightlife. Now, it has its own Chabad center, staffed by Rabbi Yaakov and Naomi (Nicolle) Rubinstein. Nicolle was not always religious and never imagined she'd one day serve as a religious...
01.21.2024
From Buddhism to Judaism
Rivka Goldstein grew up in Singapore, where she always felt she was searching for something "big.” Her quest, which continued through her time at Harvard, led to her conversion to Judaism and eventually writing a book about the Jewish approach...
01.15.2024
"Hamas Demolished My House, But Not My Home"
For nearly two decades, the Pizems have bravely served the community of Sderot, just a kilometer from Gaza. Tzivia and her family narrowly survived the terrorist rampage, and her husband is still in their hometown, serving the many soldiers (and...
01.10.2024
“Every Shabbat, I Host Dozens of IDF Soldiers at My Home"
Born in the Golan Heights, Batsheva Cohen was inspired by the teachings of Chabad. She established Chabad in downtown Chevron together with her husband Rabbi Danny, and literally "cooks for an army" as they host large groups of soldiers and...
12.27.2023
Confessions of a Hassidic Feminist
Author, activist and co-director of a bustling Chabad House, Rivka Slonim has been breaking stereotypes, sharing information and inspiration, and making an outsized mark on the Jewish world for decades. Here's her story.
12.24.2023
“I Am Calling You From Gaza”
Ezzy Morgenstern, serving in an elite unit of the IDF, shares how he and his friends feel after two months of war, and what keeps them going.
12.18.2023
How I Got a Giant Menorah Into Gaza
In the past seven weeks, Rabbi Levi Mendelson slept very little. His main concern? Aid and relief for soldiers, the wounded and the displaced, and the hostages and victims’ families.
12.11.2023
I Went Into Gaza to Help the Soldiers
Citizen-activist, co-founder of Ohr Chabad, and Chabad.org news reporter Bruria Efune speaks about how her family is dealing with war. They have brought toys and supplies to the displaced families, volunteered in a soup kitchen, and even taken a mission...
12.05.2023
I Saw Hamas Terrorists Right Behind My House!
After spending two days in her "safe room”, Michla and her family evacuated. They've now been spending the past 50+ days in a hotel room, having given their home to the IDF troops.
11.28.2023
I Rode My Ambulance Into the War Zone to Save Lives
Naomi Galeano is a medical volunteer for Israel's United Hatzalah. On the day of the Simchat Torah attacks in Israel, she rode to the danger zones to tend to the victims. Six weeks later, she's still saving lives every day.
11.21.2023
Are Jews Safe on College Campus?
Three Chabad Shluchos (emissaries) serving university campuses discuss the rising antisemitism at their colleges and what they are doing to help students feel safer, prouder and even more connected to their Judaism. An interview with Miri Gourarie, Chabad at Penn...
11.14.2023
Their Video of Jewish Pride went Viral
An interview with the Campus rabbi who didn't flinch in the face of an anti-Israel rally.
11.06.2023
The Reality of an IDF Soldier’s Wife
Batya Bluming, wife of IDF staff sergeant, Yossi, shares what life feels like for the many Israeli wives whose husbands are right now at war, and what we can do to be of help for them.
10.30.2023
Helping the Massacre Survivors in Eilat, Israel
Chani Klein shares her perspective on the ravaging effects of the war from her corner in Eilat, Israel, where close to 60,000 refugees have been relocated and there has also been an increase in soldiers at army bases. Together with...
10.16.2023
We Grabbed the Kids and Flew to Israel
Rabbi Mendel and Dini Polichenco of Chabad in California came to Israel with their family to visit army bases and provide support.
10.10.2023
The View From the Lebanese Border
Living on the border with Lebanon for more than 30 years, Brocha Leah Sasonkin approaches the war with faith, optimism, and a willingness to lend a hand
10.09.2023
The Inner World of an IDF Soldier
How does this brave American-born IDF soldier maintain his faith, positivity and humanity? A soldier shares his story.
07.14.2023
Our Quadruplet Miracle Babies
When Sara experienced failed fertility treatment, she increased in mitzvot. When doctors advised the Gutoviches to reduce, they placed their faith in G-d.
07.13.2023
The Woman Who Answers G‑d's Emails
Meet Chani Benjaminson, born in Rome, she speaks several languages and directs Chabad.org's Ask the Rabbi team.
07.04.2023
Parenting a Child in Recovery
Rabbi Nechemia and Raizel Schusterman share their tips and experiences on parenting and how they helped their son recover from his addictions.
06.21.2023
From the New York Times to Chabad.org
In advance of the anniversary of the Rebbe’s passing, Chabad.org's News Editor shared his journey from materialistic Manhattan to observant Judaism.
06.21.2023
From Counterculture to Chassidism
In advance of the anniversary of the Rebbe’s passing, Tzvi Freeman shares the twists and turns of his path from Vancouver to Brooklyn.
05.18.2023
The Rebbe’s Revolutionary Ideas in Education
A master educator shares personal guidance from the Rebbe.
05.11.2023
The Day My Baby Was No More
Devorah Goldberg shares the story of her ectopic pregnancy loss and how her commitment to the laws of family purity played a pivotal role in detection and ultimately saved her.
05.01.2023
I Am Blind and I Can Thrive
Hindy Markowitz, born as a blind preemie to a large, loving Jewish family, shares her life, her faith in G-d, her dreams and aspirations, as well as her many accomplishments as a writer, singer, sought-after speaker, and songwriter of "I...
04.20.2023
Not What I Expected—Abuse Survivor Shares His Story
Utah homegrown Rabbi and Shliach, Avremi Zippel shares his 20-year journey to reclaim his child's voice by prosecuting his abuser, writing a memoir, and becoming an advocate for sexual abuse survivors on his journey to healing.
03.23.2023
This Teen Strengthened Her Judaism and Fights Antisemitism
Shoshana tried to "fit in" with the crowd and forget about Judaism, but her involvement with CTeen, the Chabad teen network, reignited her pride in Judaism. When she personally experienced antisemitism at school, she decided to fight back on social...
03.06.2023
Fumbling for Faith Through Illness and Tragedy
What is it like to wake up and see that your healthy child has suddenly passed away? What is it like to watch your dream of having a large family evaporate, as you fight a relentless cancer, and undergo non-stop...
02.16.2023
They Found Each Other at Chabad
Cassandra, now Chava, Clark had a long journey till she found and converted to Judaism. Matt Iofe, whose parents were from Russia, knew almost nothing about Judaism. At Chabad, they each learned about their Jewish soul and they found their...
01.10.2023
Why G-d Why? How to Believe in Heaven When It Hurts Like Hell
Rabbi Schusterman's young wife died suddenly at 36, leaving him with 11 children. His journey led him to a deeper exploration of Judaism's teachings in dealing with tragedy and finding comfort.
01.02.2023
How a Hot Pink Washing Cup Transformed My Life
During her youth and while pursuing her career as a psychologist, Dr. Lana Tiersky was not interested in an observant lifestyle. That all changed when her children embarked on their own journeys of increased observance.
01.02.2023
A Miracle Baby—But the Story Is Not Over Yet
After marrying, Sheina Goldberg thought that children would automatically follow—until they didn't. This is her miraculous story of finally giving birth to a child. She shares her challenges and struggles, and how she keeps growing.
01.02.2023
A Mother's Greatest Loss and Her Way Forward
After she buried four of her eight children from a rare genetic disorder, Devorie Kreiman's son drowned, six weeks before his wedding day. This is her story of healing and faith.
01.02.2023
A Jewish Girl Raised as an Orthodox Christian Finds Judaism
When at the age of eight, Hanna Butcher was enrolled in a Chabad Hebrew school she began her journey from Christianity back to her people.
01.02.2023
Teen With Cystic Fibrosis: "My Challenges Don't Define Me"
Rosie Grossbaum is a high school student with an indomitable spirit who lives with the life-threatening disorder cystic fibrosis.

What's Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories episodes:

I Found Judaism at Columbia

Losing the Baby I Prayed For

My Parents Believed in Me—The Remarkable Success of an Autistic Child

The Courage to Live With Joy After Losing Four Children

College Football's Rising Star Doesn't Play on Shabbat

The Upside of a Child With Down Syndrome

The Rebbetzin of Finland: Why We're So Happy Here

Terror Took Four Members of My Family

Finding G-d in a Brazilian Prison

From Music Theory to Jewish Practice

A Mother's Wisdom After Losing Her Child

The Stock Exchange Doesn't Compare to Mothering

Chana Speaks About Her Father

My Son’s Last Letter From Gaza

Cancer Attacked My Body, and I Discovered My Soul

A Costa Rican Story of Return

From Buddhism to Judaism

"Hamas Demolished My House, But Not My Home"

“Every Shabbat, I Host Dozens of IDF Soldiers at My Home"

Confessions of a Hassidic Feminist

“I Am Calling You From Gaza”

How I Got a Giant Menorah Into Gaza

I Went Into Gaza to Help the Soldiers

I Saw Hamas Terrorists Right Behind My House!

I Rode My Ambulance Into the War Zone to Save Lives

Are Jews Safe on College Campus?

Their Video of Jewish Pride went Viral

The Reality of an IDF Soldier’s Wife

Helping the Massacre Survivors in Eilat, Israel

We Grabbed the Kids and Flew to Israel

The View From the Lebanese Border

The Inner World of an IDF Soldier

Our Quadruplet Miracle Babies

The Woman Who Answers G‑d's Emails

Parenting a Child in Recovery

From the New York Times to Chabad.org

From Counterculture to Chassidism

The Rebbe’s Revolutionary Ideas in Education

The Day My Baby Was No More

I Am Blind and I Can Thrive

Not What I Expected—Abuse Survivor Shares His Story

This Teen Strengthened Her Judaism and Fights Antisemitism

Fumbling for Faith Through Illness and Tragedy

They Found Each Other at Chabad

Why G-d Why? How to Believe in Heaven When It Hurts Like Hell

How a Hot Pink Washing Cup Transformed My Life

A Miracle Baby—But the Story Is Not Over Yet

A Mother's Greatest Loss and Her Way Forward

A Jewish Girl Raised as an Orthodox Christian Finds Judaism

Teen With Cystic Fibrosis: "My Challenges Don't Define Me"

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